Gornal Together Christmas Lights

I was lucky to  be part of the Gornal Together Lights Switch-on, as part of the band who play for Fusion Rock, a local Choir.

Setting up the Gazebo during Hurricane Desmond. 

Roundabouts ready for customers

Cadets from Ellowes Hall School were helping everywhere 


The sky begins to darken 

A last minute panic, er, discussion for some organisers

 

I had a look inside the Zoar Chapel Hall 

Stall holders were busy setting up

  
 ...and as I came outside, the rides were illuminated
 

People filled the streets, waiting for Santa

There he is passing by (my camera isn't great in the dark!)

A member of Fusion band - trying to look as if he's warm (he wasn't).

A passing elf?

Next, we waited for the big switch on

Still waiting, but you can see a few flakes of snow whirling round (fake, but very atmospheric)

At last, the lights.

Guitarist doing some last minute checks

Fusion Rock getting ready to perform

People in this choir love posing for photos!

Yes, yes, we see you!

Some spectators, thoroughly muffled up!

The roundabout whirls round

Fusion are ready to go 

Conductor waits for the nod- and off they go! 

Then, children from Jesson's sing

Their Choir is called Jubilate

Such a lovely night

Well done to the team who organised all of this: Gornal should be proud of you all

And thankyou to the elves too.

A great event: I enjoyed being part of it.

Normally, my blogs are about walking - but this was such a great occasion I felt it was worth sharing. I hope you agree!

Mobile users can click here for a list of recent walks around the Black Country (which are visible top right for computer users)

I cannot recommend this walk at all!

A four mile walk in glorious countryside, with the stormy November skies enabling me to take pictures like this. Why wouldn't I recommend it? Well, read on and see. 

Starting at Blakeshall Lane Car Park, at Kingsford Country Park (next to the more famous Kinver Edge)

I followed the (well-signed) North Worcestershire Path  (NWP)

...past these lovely logs.

Onto Kingsford Lane very briefly

...before turning off onto a bridle path (still part of the NWP) with views of the Clent Hills on the distant horizon.

The nearer views were quite good,..

But the path was very muddy.

It got even muddier. This was ankle deep - and it wasn't possible to walk on the sides. Half an hour's walking, and I hadn't managed a mile.

My interest was briefly taken by the old Sladd Barn

By the time I reached Cookley Lane, you could barely tell that my boots are actually red.

The lane gave my boots a chance to dry a bit

Turning off the road, I admired this lichen

The path was drier, and I increased my speed. 

It looked like there was rain on the way

I passed some nice barn conversions (There are many in Caunsall)

I particularly liked the path nearby! Well tended and dry!

The Anchor Inn was busy (Friday lunchtime) but I hurried on.

Victorian post box in the wall of another barn

Perhaps the most surprising thing about this walk: the Fire Assembly Point sign. In the countryside! There were some barns opposite, so it must be for them

Along Kinver Lane, the skies darkened further

Horses need to be cared for, whatever the weather.

Back along Cookley Lane for a while

...and then turning onto Gipsy Lane. More distant hills - the Abberley Hills this time.

Finally the wooded Kingsford Park came into view

And I got back to my car.

A four mile walk, which I cannot recommend because of the deep mud which takes much of the pleasure from walking. In fact, the first mile made me very grumpy but I was cheerful by the time I got back to the car, three miles further on. Walking definitely increased my endorphins, but I still don't recommend this walk in case it doesn't do the same for you!

Today's walk: Start at Blakeshall Lane Car Park, and follow the North Worcs Path signs to Caunsall [If you insist on doing the walk, you can detour round Gipsy Lane rather than use the bridle path section - it's about the same distance. From Caunsall, return by the Lanes  - first Kinver Lane, then Cookley and finally Gipsy - to get back to the car park. 4 miles in total - but quite a lot of effort . Some ups and downs. Plus MUD.